By Logan C. Ritchie, contributor 

Greater Decatur, GA — Chick-fil-A’s application to move to N. Druid Hills at Birch Road has been deferred, again. With the announcement of Edens’ plan for development at North DeKalb Mall, Chick-fil-A asked during the Jan. 27 zoning meeting for DeKalb County Board of Commissioners to defer the application.

Attorney David Kirk, representing the fast food giant, requested a deferral to May.

“We believe we have a project that warrants your support,” Kirk said. “However, in light of the impending submittal of the rezoning application for the mall property, redevelopment for that 77-acre property, discussions with some of you and internal discussion with Chick-fil-A folks, we would like to request a two-cycle deferral to allow all parties to fully understand the mall proposal and our relation to it.”

DeKalb County planning staff is recommending the application with conditions.

Laurel Ridge and Shamrock neighbors are continuing to show up for public comment.

Neighbor Kelly Rambo, who supports the move, said it will be a safer location for the neighborhood. Michael Pisani, who has consistently spoken at the public meetings, said the new location is the crown jewel property.

“It’s the least amount of buffer space between commercial and residential, so it’s very important to us to get this right …” said Pisani.

Commissioner Jeff Rader made a motion to hear the agenda item again in May without a return to community council or planning commission, since both bodies recommended the application.

The looming redevelopment of the North DeKalb Mall area is a critical context for making this decision, said Rader.

“There is a development of regional impact analysis that is underway for that project, and therefore it is appropriate to delay a decision on this project in favor of better learning about what is proposed in the area that will have major impact on the relevant parameters,” said Rader.

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